Kayak4Youth Blog Day 10

Due to a broken mast the decision was made to strip the Kayak back down to basics – this is the result

With the rest day moved to day nine it meant I was out on the water on day 10. It was a good day. Getting back to basics was a great move – because I had stripped the kayak down to only what I needed and I was up and out on the water by 7am.

From Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa I headed out through the reef into the open water. Then it was left and onto Salani. The next few hours saw me paddle seven kilometres of open ocean across the Boulders.

Here the biggest swell to date hit me and I was paddling through a six foot plus surf. This wasn’t so bad as I peddled all the way and caught some pretty big waves.

It took about two hours to clear the point and then I was able to tuck back into the lagoon through a channel into Tafatafa for lunch.

When I pulled into the beach I was again given that warm Samoan welcome with the villagers coming out and offering me food – yet another great memory to add to so many from this journey.

After a lunch of tuna and taro I was ready to get back out on the water where I pushed back through the lagoon and reef then all the way to the Salani River.

As soon as I hit the swell it was on. I had to race against the receding tide and make it to the Salani River mouth before all the water left the lagoon. I made it, just.

Day 10 was an incredibly rewarding day for me and my team. Over the past few days we had been knocked down not once but twice and we all improvised, adapted and overcame the challenges that were thrown at us. I am not saying it was easy – it wasn’t – but I knew I had the right crew on board to see me t

To make it to the Salani River was the best feeling. When I set out on this journey I had no idea that it would run so parallel to life. How you can plan everything down to the letter, have contingencies in place and still get knocked for six. That is what has happened this journey not once, but twice. However, together we faced it and rose up to the challenge and right now we are winning.

That was the feeling I took to the Kayak4Youth Black Tie Dinner and Auction held at Sinalei Reef Resonrt & Spa. And what a great night it was. There are so many people I need to thank – my wife Lyndall and her team that pulled the evening together.

To all the sponsors who showed up and gave their support. Joe and Sose Annandale and the team from Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa. Bryan Wareing from Ford Samoa who not only threw the full weight of Ford behind the journey but for also stepping up as auctioneer on the night and saw Kayak4Youth hit the $50,000 mark (with a little help form Westpac and ANZ – cheers guys).

Andy leaving Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa and heading out to Salani River. It was the Samoan fisherman who were the inspiration for the change in the journey after the mast snapped again

To the members of the Samoa Police – you guys have been right behind me from the start and you will be with me at the end. There are no words to express just how grateful I am for this.

To the Australian Pacific Technical College students who showed up and donated their time – you guys were so professional and it was great to share the night with you.

To our guests – the night would not have been a success without you – so thank you for coming out and supporting our cause – the night was just what I needed to see me through to the end – I couldn’t have done it without you.

If there is anyone I have forgotten – by no means is it on purpose – it is just that fatigue at this point has really kicked in. However you have contributed to this achievement – it means I know that I am not alone out there on the water – so thank you.

Now the night is over – I am ready for bed and another big paddle tomorrow